Open AccessPhytocannabinoids use in Alzheimer’s disease
Author(s) -
Júlia Maia Seixas,
Hygor Kleber Cabral Silva,
Maria Alice Rocha Lopes,
Kamila Castro Oliveira Camargos,
LUCAS MOREIRA MARQUES,
Maria Tereza Nogueira Fonseca e Souza,
Bianca Henriques Parreiras,
Alice Carvalho Hoffmann,
Letícia Fernanda Saraiva Jardim
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.671
Subject(s) - cannabidiol , medicine , dementia , disease , adverse effect , cannabinol , alzheimer's disease , clinical trial , pharmacology , psychiatry , cannabis , bioinformatics , biology
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among older adults impacting quality of life. Nowadays, four drugs are indicated to manage AD symptoms, however, none of them have shown effectiveness to prevent the disease’s progress, and they are associated with adverse effects. In this scenario, the endocannabinoid system has the attention of researchers and physicians, because of its relation with processes involved in the AD physiopathology. Therefore, in the last decade, studies that evaluate the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) and other phytocannabinoids, like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN), as an alternative treatment to this illness, have multiplied. Objectives: To bring updated information about this new and promising therapeutic. Methods: A bibliographic research in PubMed with the terms “Cannabidiol and Alzheimer” was made, with the filters “Free full text” and “Publication Date 5 years”. The research obtained 31 results, from which were chosen 10. Results: In vivo studies with CBD, THC and CBN have shown their properties: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, attenuation of toxic accumulation of β-amyloid protein and to reverse cognitive deficits, all AD physiopathological processes. It was also demonstrated that the combination between THC and CBD shows better efficiency and fewer adverse effects than CBD isolated use. Conclusions: Despite needing deeper and stronger studies with better conducted clinical trials, the researches about phytocannabinoids use in AD seem promising, and they might become the biggest ally in the treatment of this and other neurodegenerative conditions.